Ozamiz

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Ozamiz

Component City

City of Ozamiz

Ozamiz Port

Seal

Nickname(s): 

 Gem of the Panguil Bay

 Gateway to Northwestern Mindanao
 Historical, Cultural, and Pilgrimage Destination
Motto(s): 
Better Image, Better Lives
 Map of Misamis Occidental with Ozamiz highlighted

Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap

Ozamiz
Location within the Philippines

Coordinates:  8°09′N 123°51′ECoordinates:  8°09′N 12

3°51′E

Country  Philippines

Region Northern Mindanao (Region X)

Province Misamis Occidental
District 2nd District
 Founded 1757
Cityhood July 16, 1948[1]
Named for José Ozámiz

Barangays 51 (see Barangays)

Government
 [2]
 • Type Sangguniang Panlungsod
 • Mayor Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal
 • Vice Mayor Simplicia O. Neri
 • Congressman Henry S. Oaminal
 • Electorate 85,534 voters (2019)

Area
 [3]
 • Total 169.95 km2 (65.62 sq mi)

Population
 (2015 census)[4]
 • Total 141,828
 • Density 830/km2 (2,200/sq mi)

Economy
 • Income class 3rd city income class
 • Poverty incidence 17.79% (2015)[5]
 • Revenue (₱) 654,453,854.29 (2016)

Time zone UTC+8 (PST)

ZIP code 7200

PSGC 104210000

IDD : area code  +63 (0)88

Climate type tropical climate

Native languages Subanon language
Cebuano
Tagalog
Catholic diocese Archdiocese of Ozamiz

Website ozamizcity.com

Ozamiz, officially the City of Ozamiz (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Ozamiz, Tagalog: Lungsod ng

Ozamiz) or simply referred to as Ozamiz City, is a 3rd class city in the province of Misamis
Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 141,828 people. [4]
 Although occasionally spelled as Ozamis in official sources, City Resolution 251-05 officially spelled
Ozamiz with a "z" as its last letter rather than with an "s".

Contents

 1Geography
o 1.1Barangays
 2History
 3Demographics
 4Economy
o 4.1Retail
 5Local Government
 6Tourism and culture
o 6.1Notable events and festivals
o 6.2Attractions
 7Transportation
o 7.1Air
o 7.2Sea
o 7.3Land
 8Health
 9Education
 10Sister cities
 11See also
 12References
 13External links

Geography[edit]
Ozamiz is close to Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte provinces, while across the bay
is Lanao del Norte. Ozamiz is 52 kilometres (32 mi) from Maria Cristina Falls, the main source of
hydroelectric power in Mindanao.
Barangays[edit]
Ozamiz is politically subdivided into 51 barangays. [3]

Populatio
Name n PSGC
(2015) [4]

50th District (Poblacion) 1,138 104210051

Aguada (Poblacion) 7,543 104210001

 Populatio
Name n PSGC
(2015)[4]

Bacolod 2,226 104210003

Bagakay 3,955 104210004

Balintawak 660 104210005

Banadero (Poblacion) 8,000 104210002

Baybay San Roque 3,527 104210043

Baybay Santa Cruz 1,852 104210006

Baybay Triunfo 2,817 104210007

Bongbong 2,742 104210008

Calabayan 3,353 104210009

Capucao C. 652 104210010

Capucao P. 1,419 104210011

Carangan 5,223 104210012

 Populatio
Name n PSGC
(2015)[4]

Carmen (Misamis Annex) 6,135 104210037

Catadman-Manabay 7,422 104210013

Cavinte 620 104210014

Cogon 1,417 104210015

Dalapang 636 104210016

Diguan 1,503 104210017

Dimaluna 3,020 104210018

Doña Consuelo 4,178 104210052

Embargo 863 104210019

Gala 935 104210020

Gango 5,686 104210021

Gotokan Daku 531 104210022

 Populatio
Name n PSGC
(2015)[4]

Gotokan Diot 413 104210023

Guimad 750 104210024

Guingona 596 104210025

Kinuman Norte 1,484 104210026

Kinuman Sur 1,172 104210027

Labinay 1,600 104210028

Labo 3,065 104210029

Lam-an 2,961 104210030

Liposong 823 104210031

Litapan 898 104210032

Malaubang 7,867 104210033

Manaka 898 104210034

 Populatio
Name n PSGC
(2015)[4]

Maningcol 6,951 104210035

Mentering 439 104210036

Molicay 3,581 104210038

Pantaon 1,083 104210040

Pulot 4,328 104210041

San Antonio 4,353 104210042

Sangay Daku 777 104210044

Sangay Diot 445 104210045

Sinuza 1,724 104210046

Stimson Abordo (Montol) 2,246 104210039

Tabid 3,958 104210047

Tinago 10,596 104210048

 Populatio
Name n PSGC
(2015)[4]

Trigos 776 104210049

History[edit]

Entrance to Spanish fort

The city of Ozamiz grew out of an old Spanish town called Misamis—a name believed to have been derived
from the Subanen word "Kuyamis," a variety of coconut. Other unverified historical sources, however, suggest
that the name Misamis came from "Misa" after the Catholic Mass. The origin and the growth of the old Spanish
town, Misamis, was due to the presence of the Spanish garrison stationed at the stone fort named Nuestra
Senora dela Concepcion del Triunfo, which was constructed some time in the 18th century in order to control
the pirate activities originating in the nearby Lanao area. In 1850, the town of Misamis became the capital of
the District of Misamis.
In October 1942 Wendell Fertig established the command headquarters of the growing guerrilla resistance to
the Japanese occupation of Mindanao in the Spanish fort in the city. His headquarters was abandoned June
26, 1943, in the face of a large Japanese attack. [6] Until the end of the war the Japanese occupied this fort. The
Ozamiz city website said of this, "During the Japanese occupation of Misamis in World War II(1943-1945), the
"Cotta" was garrisoned by a contingent of Japanese who dug foxholes near or under the walls. This
undermining of walls later led to the destruction of the Southwest bastion in the earthquake of 1955." [1]
After the Second World War, Misamis became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act 321 on July 16, 1948.
RA 321 also renamed Misamis to Ozamiz after a WW-II hero José Ozámiz who hailed from the province of
Misamis Occidental and who at one time also served as its governor and congressional representative of the
Lone District of Misamis Occidental, a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention that resulted in the
creation of the 1935 Constitution for the Philippine Commonwealth Government. In 1941, José Ozámiz was
elected to the Philippine Senate.

Demographics[edit]
 Population census of Ozamiz

Year Pop. ±% p.a. Year Pop. ±% p.a.

1903 11,709 —     1980 77,832 +1.69%
1918 23,237 +4.68% 1990 91,503 +1.63%
1939 36,313 +2.15% 1995 101,944 +2.05%
1948 35,262 −0.33% 2000 110,420 +1.73%
1960 44,091 +1.88% 2007 123,137 +1.51%
1970 64,643 +3.90% 2010 131,527 +2.43%
1975 71,559 +2.06% 2015 141,828 +1.45%

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[4][7][8][9]

Economy[edit]
Ozamiz is agricultural by resources, but it has become the center for commerce, health, transportation, and
education in this part of Mindanao, considering its strategic location and its peaceful atmosphere. The city has
good harbor location, its local port is the principal outlet of mineral deposits, agricultural and forest products of
the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Maguindanao, parts of Lanao
del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.

Retail[edit]
Due to the location of the city, Ozamiz enjoys several notable shopping centers within its city center. People
from Misamis Occidental, parts of Lanao del Norte and parts of Zamboanga del Sur will come also to Ozamiz
for their shopping needs.
Gaisano Capital Mall Ozamiz is the biggest mall in the city with the expansion of a new South Wing Mall in
2011. Novo Ozamiz also expand and construct their own bigger building with a hotel named Asia Novotel in
2010. Unitop Ozamiz also expand their building in 2012 in front of City Public Mall with a bridge for an easy
access from the 2nd floor of both buildings. City Public Mall, formerly known as City Public Market, is the
biggest public establishment in Northwestern Mindanao. It is owned and managed by the Ozamiz government
and opened on May 28, 2009. Robinsons Supermarket opened to the public on November 30, 2012. Puregold
Ozamiz opened in the year of 2019 with the first ever 7-11 Convenience Store serving the developing city.

Local Government[edit]
Elected and appointed public officials have governed Ozamiz since its founding, with a strong mayor-council
government. The city political government is composed of the mayor, vice mayor, sixteen councilors, one
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation representative and an Association of Barangay Captains (ABC)
representative. Each official is elected publicly to a three-year terms.
The following are the current city officials of Ozamiz:
Mayor: Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal (Nacionalista) Vice Mayor: Simplicia O. Neri (Nacionalista)

Tourism and culture[edit]

Notable events and festivals[edit]
The feast of Our Lady of Triumph of the Cross at Cotta Shrine is celebrated every July 16 which is also the
Charter City anniversary. Subayan Keg Subanon festival is also held on the same day. The Cotta
entertainment area has free live band concerts and other musical variety shows each weekend. Fireworks
displays are held at Cotta during Fiesta and holidays. It can be seen across Panguil bay as far as Lanao del
Norte.
The feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is celebrated every December 8 while every 4th Sunday of
January is the Sr. Santo Nino Fluvial Parade held at Panguil Bay. Balanghoy Festival is held annually at Cotta
area.

Attractions[edit]

Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo

 Fuerte dela Concepcion y del Triunfo, also known as Cotta Shrine, is a fort built in 1755 by
Father Jose Ducos to serve as a Spanish outpost in the area. A special chapel was built inside the walls of
the fort and an image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, in the pink and blue attire, was
enshrined in the chapel and outside the fort on the wall facing the bay, was a carved image of the Virgin
Mary (Nuestra Señora de la Immaculada Concepción y del Triunfo de la Cruz de Migpangi). The image on
the Cotta's wall is believed to be miraculously growing and has been the object of pilgrimage. The fort was
renovated and restored to its original design in 2006. Cotta will undergo improvement and development
with construction of a boulevard with a Spanish galleon replica, cotta park with parking area, a mini
commercial complex for food stalls, ticketing offices, restos, cafes and souvenir shops.
 Bukagan Hill has a view of the city, Panguil bay, the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga del
Sur. There are four great bells at the top of Bukagan Hill. The bells were named after "St. Peter", "St.
Marien", "St. Joseph" and "St. Michael" and were originally purchased by Bishop Patrick Cronin, D.D. for
the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. However, the bells weigh 7 tons and were found to be too heavy
and too large for the cathedral's belfry. The people felt that it was very expensive to construct a special
belfry for them considering that a lot of fund raising effort was made for the building of the cathedral and
the installing of the pipe organ. It was through the efforts of then City Mayor Fernando T. Bernad that the
bells were finally given a place at the Bukagan Hill. With the help of Jesus Y. Varela, the huge bells were
installed in Bukagan Hill Bells and officially inaugurated on July 16, 1948. [10]
 Naomi's Botanical Garden and tourists Inn sits on a 12 hectare property of local and imported tropical
flowers, plants and fruit seedlings. There are fully air-conditioned private rooms, Function halls, tennis
court, Golf range, ceramics factory, pottery and a bakery inside this sprawling garden.
 Mt. Malindang Golf and country Club is a pre-war army facility converted into a golf course located in
Bagakay at the foot of Mount Malindang.
 Immaculate Conception Pipe organ, found in the choir loft of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, is
the only existing pipe organ in Mindanao and one among the few throughout the country. An Irish
Columban priest, Father Sean Lavery, who was in charge of the liturgical and musical development in the
Immaculate Conception Cathedral realized the need for an organ. Funds were raised through donations
and a musical extravaganza organized by the parish raised enough money to buy the pipe organ. Father
Lavery asked the help of a German priest, Father Herman Schablitzki S.V.D., who came to Ozamiz to get
the specification needed to guide the organ builders in Germany. Father Schablitzki himself, assisted by
one carpenter and one electrician, assembled the organ in six weeks and it was completed on May 31,
1967. It was inaugurated on July 16, 1967; the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. [11]
 Immaculate Conception Cathedral was built from the ruins of a church destroyed in an earthquake. It
was one of the early designs of national artist for architecture Leandro Locsin. his simple style of squares,
circles, and half circles are evident in the external and internal designs of the church. The facade was later
changed.

Transportation[edit]
Air[edit]
Ozamiz Airport
Main article:  Labo Airport
Ozamiz Airport, also known as Labo Airport, was reopened July 5, 2007, 9 years after Philippine Airlines (PAL)
stopped their operations using Fokker 50 and Sunriser planes and eventually went the airport to its closure due
to its short runway in which cannot accommodate jet planes. Air Philippines, (a subsidiary airline of PAL), was
the first airline served the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila using a B737-200 which is also the first
jet plane to land the airport while PAL Express (another PAL subsidiary), was then served direct flights to
the Mactan–Cebu International Airport again using their Bombardier Q400.
PAL's competitor, Cebu Pacific Air later opened their service in Ozamiz with its first flight to Cebu on November
10, 2008 using their brand-new ATR72-500. With high demand of passengers, cargo and tourist arrivals, Cebu
Pacific then launched its Manila route with their Airbus 319, while PAL took over Air Philippines service to
Manila using also the Airbus 319 last June 16, 2009.
When Air Philippines took its rebranding as Airphil Express (now PAL Express), it then relaunched its Ozamiz
to Manila flight last August 18, 2011 using their Airbus A320. It then forces Cebu Pacific to change its aircraft to
replace all of their ATR72-500 that serves Ozamiz Airport to an Airbus A319 and Airbus A320. Despite fierce
competition between PAL and Cebu Pacific, PAL ended their operations in Ozamiz last March 25, 2012,
leaving their affiliate PAL Express to compete with Cebu Pacific. Since then, the competition between PAL
Express and Cebu Pacific became the duopoly in serving to and from the airport.
Ozamiz Airport will undergo a P300M expansion and development with installation of runway lights, extension
of runway from its current of length 1.9 km to 2.1 km and construction of a new passenger terminal building.[12][13]

Sea[edit]
Main article:  Port of Ozamiz
There are several major shipping lines serving Cebu, Manila and Iligan routes namely: 2GO Travel (formerly
SuperFerry, Negros Navigation and Cebu Ferries), Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Cokaliong Shipping
Lines, Carlos A. Gothong Lines, and Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp.(PSACC former Sulpicio Lines).
Cokaliong Shipping Lines increased their Cebu service from thrice to 5 times weekly. Local shipping lines like
Daima have trips from Ozamiz to Mukas, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte routes through Roll-on/roll-off (RORO)
ferries that transport passengers, cars/trucks and goods across Panguil bay.

Land[edit]
The public mode of transportation within the city is by trisikad/pedicab and motorized tricycle, while Rural
Transit, Super Five, UV Express, and public utility jeepneys such as Lotradisco were the predominant transport
for interprovincial routes, to and from the city.

Health[edit]
Hospitals and healthcare facilities:

 Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center (MHARS MC)- a 500-bed capacity tertiary hospital owned
by the Dept. of Health.
 Misamis University Medical center (MUMC)- a tertiary hospital located at Barangay Bagakay.
 Medina General Hospital- a 200-bed capacity tertiary hospital located at Barangay Carmen Annex.
 Faith Hospital
 S.M. Lao Memorial Hospital
 St. Joseph General Hospital, formerly St. Mary General Hospital
 St. Padre Pio Medical Clinic - located at JEM bldg., Medina Avenue, Barangay Carmen Annex

Education[edit]
The presence of two universities in Ozamiz, La Salle University, formerly known as Immaculate Conception
College (ICC) and Misamis University, makes it a premier education center in Northern Mindanao. Students
coming from Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental come to
Ozamiz to pursue their college education.

 Misamis University
 La Salle University - Ozamiz campus
 Medina College-Ozamiz
 Misamis Institute of Technology
 Northwestern Mindanao Institute of Technology (NMIT)
 Our Lady of Triumph Institute of Technology (OLTIT)
 Northwestern Mindanao School of Technology (NMST
 Immaculate Conception School of Technology (ICST)
 Vocational Institute of the Philippines and Maritime Training Center
 Computer Technology College
 Ozamiz City Technology and Vocational School
 Lighthouse Christian Academy
 St. Constance School (SCS)
Secondary Schools:[14]

 Misamis Union High School formerly Misamis Chinese High School. This is the only Chinese School in
Misamis Occidental.
 Ozamiz City National High School
 Labo National High School
 Pulot National High School
 Stimpson Abordo National High School
 Labinay National High School
 San Antonio National High School
 Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trades
 FMC MA School and Tutorial Services, Inc.

Sister cities[edit]
Local

 Tangub
 Oroquieta
 Iligan
 Cotabato City
 Dipolog
 General Santos
 Cebu City
 Iloilo City
 Pagadian
 Marawi City
 Cagayan de Oro City